Smoking increases

"I have been greatly struck by the growth of cigarette smoking. One cannot walk through the streets of any of our towns without seeing mere youths, some of them I should think not more than 13 or 14 years of age, smoking cigarettes. This is contrary to law, but it is done without question." — Sir Robert Stout, de omnibus rebus, in a northern paper.

"I can remember when there was only one person in Dunedin to smoke cigarettes," continued Sir Robert.

"There is a Dunedin tradition of that pioneer. He was a man in public life, sat upon boards and the like; when in session would automatically roll the material of cigarettes between his tobacco-stained fingers, wrap the paper about it, produce a match and be on the point of lighting up when stopped by the scandalised chairman. He was the first in a never-ending procession."

Tobacco smoking will never end for the all-sufficing reason that men like it. Yet it is indisputable that people who do not smoke are just as happy. — Civis.

London Soldiers’ Club

"The Soldiers’ Club in Russell Square has been an enormous benefit to New Zealand soldiers on leave,‘‘ writes Mr I. W. Raymond, chairman of the New Zealand War Contingent Association, London, to Mr O. H. Tripp, of Wellington. ‘‘It is always full, and accommodation has to be found outside. There is a good reason for its popularity; it is splendidly conducted and economically run; the food supply is of the best, and fully 50 per cent cheaper in value than what can be obtained anywhere else. The staff of cooks and waitresses is entirely voluntary, and, with one or two exceptions, wholly New Zealanders. This fact alone exercises a great influence for good."

Dunedin RSA club

The Otago branch of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association has decided to come into line with other centres and erect a memorial club in Dunedin. For this purpose the association intends to appeal to the Otago public to subscribe £20,000 for the purchase of a freehold site, the erection of a modern memorial building and first year’s running expenses.

Heavy Hawea crops

Viewed from the high ground towards the east, Hawea Flat just now presents a scene worth witnessing (states the Cromwell Argus). In all directions one gazes on fields of heavy crops, some in the stook, others awaiting the turn of the binder, and some receiving the finishing touches with the mill, which is hard at work threshing from the stook. The area of grain appears even greater than in former years. — ODT, 19.1.1918.

 

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